Diagnosing MS: How is Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosed?
Diagnosing MS can be complicated as many symptoms of MS are similar to other diseases. Multiple Sclerosis (MS), however is a disease of the central nervous system that affects the nerves and can cause a plethora of problems. It is the most prevalent central nervous system disorder amongst young adults in the western world.
Some may ask What is MS? Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that directs the body to attack it’s own nervous system, more precisely, the membrane that protects the neurons.
White blood cells and antibodies, which normally focus their attack on bacteria, attack this membrane, called myelin sheaths. For some unknown reason they attack the healthy nerve-protecting cells. When the myelin sheath is under attack the nerves can’t send the normal signals to the nervous system and the sense in cause is seriously damaged.
Multiple Sclerosis has a large variety of symptoms that vary from what patient to another and that depend on which nerve endings are attacked and how severely they are damaged. Among the most common symptoms you can find are partial or total temporary loss of vision, cognitive issues, loss of balance, memory loss, severe fatigue often associated with heat, loss of strength, loss of urinary or bowel control and slurred speech.
Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is not easy. It is based on the patient’s medical history and a series of tests are also required.
First of all the patient must take some blood tests that scan for other diseases in order to determine if the symptoms are caused by other illnesses.
Then MRI testing is performed. MRI can give us detailed images of the brain and the other parts of the nervous system so we can determine whether something is wrong or not. During the MRI tests a very strong magnet scans the brain and the spine, and images with certain patterns on it will result.
The doctors will determine if the patterns are normal or not. MRI can detect scars, called lesions that are specific the disease.
A second test used to help diagnosis MS is the Spinal Tap (aka the Lumbar Puncture).
The spinal Tap removes fluid from your spinal cord. The fluid contains glucose, and proteins as well as other components found in blood such as white blood cells. The levels of these substances, especially immune proteins (known as immunoglobulins), are tested to determine if they fall within the normal range. If not that can be an indicator that the patient has MS, especially if there is a high level of immunoglobulins in the fluid. However, the tests are not the final arbitrator with regard to any definitive diagnosis. Some patients will have perfectly normal levels in their spinal fluid yet still have MS.
Another set of tests are sometimes used to aid in determining if the patient has Multiple Sclerosis. They are the “Evoke Potential Tests.” These tests are designed to measure the electrical activity in the brain. Each test focuses on measuring the activity is specific areas of the brain. These test allow for observing at a closer level problems the are to subtle to observe in a normal visit with your physician. There are three main types of evoked potential tests:
· Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP): You are placed in front of a screen which displays alternating checkerboard patterns.
·
· Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEP): You listen to a series of clicks for both ears.
· Sensory Evoked Potentials (SEP): Quick electrical impulses are transmitted through a limb.
Although evoked potentials can help determine if you have Multiple Sclerosis, it can also produce anomalous results as other health conditions may influence the outcome. These test are used to add weight to a diagnosis not provide conclusive evidence.
If the test and strongly indicate MS then your journey begins. Most physicians will try and start you on medications right away. As a person with MS I take issue with that. Medications serve an undeniable purpose but the thing that most ignore is dietary changes may significantly improve your situation. For many, an MS Diet to help start reversing MS right now should be considered. The body is an amazing piece of work. When given the right tools (i.e., proper nutrition) you may be amazed at what Mother Nature can do.
| Visit Here to Learn More! |
 |